History of the United States II / Unit 16 USH2 2266 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The War on Drugs
Captions available
The idea
Nancy Reagan's campaign urged young people to say no to drugs, and politicians competed to enact harsher sentences for drug offences, the anchor says.
In practice
Crack penalties set far above those for equal amounts of powder cocaine, a costlier drug used more by White people, the anchor says.
Where people slip
State after state adopted mandatory minimum sentences, and federal guidelines removed judges' discretion.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for History of the United States II